POINTW (Point Behind Noted Record) Macro

The POINTW macro repositions the file that is specified by filename to the record that follows the record identified by previously issuing a NOTE macro.

A READ or WRITE following a POINTW macro results in the following:
  • For magnetic tape, a READ following a POINTW causes IOCS to read the record after the one noted by a NOTE macro.
  • For DASD work files, a READ following a POINTW causes the noted record to be read.
  • For magnetic tape, a WRITE UPDATE following a POINTW causes the record that follows the noted record to be overwritten.
  • For a work file on disk, a WRITE UPDATE following a POINTW causes the noted record to be overwritten.

If a WRITE SQ follows the POINTW, the record after the noted one is written (or overwritten) and, on CKD disk, the remainder of the track is erased (overwritten with zeros). On an FBA disk, the remainder of the CI is erased (overwritten with zeros) and an SEOF is written (the following CI is also overwritten with zeros).

Format

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagramnamePOINTWfilename(1),address(0)

Requirements for the caller

AMODE:
24
RMODE:
24
ASC Mode:
Primary

Parameters

filename | (1)
The file name can be expressed either as a symbol or in register notation.
address | (0)
Specifies the virtual storage location of either a 4-byte record identifier or a 4-byte record identifier plus a 2-byte track or CI capacity. The 4- or 6-byte number must be in the form that is obtained from the NOTE macro. The 2-byte track or CI capacity is required only when a WRITE SQ is to be issued following the POINTW.